Bonehead Pickshttp://www.boneheadpicks.com
Sports talk for the average JoeTue, 14 Aug 2018 14:22:04 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.8Who Is Texas A&M’s Next Quarterback?http://www.boneheadpicks.com/who-is-texas-ams-next-quarterback/
http://www.boneheadpicks.com/who-is-texas-ams-next-quarterback/#respondTue, 14 Aug 2018 14:22:04 +0000http://www.boneheadpicks.com/?p=29186Jimbo Fisher inheritd a mess from Kevin Sumlin which was three or more years in the making. Ever since Johnny Manziel was forced to leave early for the NFL due to questionable circumstances, it was thought that with Sumlin’s offensive schemes, that the quarterback position would be in good hands. But for the first couple of seasons after Manziel, things would begin to fall apart in the middle including the passing game. But now with Jimbo Fisher in control, that could change soon.

There were three quarterbacks who played last season under Sumlin, but Jake Hubenak has now graduated. There were actually eight quarterbacks on the roster with two of them already graduated including Hubenak. The current roster now holds seven quarterbacks, along with Kellen Mond and Nick Starkel who also played last season. There are now three freshman (one redshirt), three sophomores (two redshirt) and one junior (reshirt). Three of those who did not play are left over from 2017.

Sophomore Kellen Mond began to make an impact playing in 10 games before things again to totally unravel. Mond threw for 1,375 yards and eight touchdowns along with six interceptions. Nick Starkel threw for more yardage, but only in seven games throwing for 1,793 yards and 14 touchdowns. He only threw six interceptions all season and had the highest quarterback ration with 150.2. Hubenak only threw for 98 yards and completing only 13 of his 17 passes attempted.

It appears to be down between Mond and Starkel, but all in all all seven quarterbacks will most likely have a hand during the competition with a new head coach involved. Fisher will have his new starting quarterback in place and ready to take on the entire SEC West, but will it most likely be Mond or Starkel or most likely a true freshman, which has been the hottest trend in the conference the past year.

]]>http://www.boneheadpicks.com/who-is-texas-ams-next-quarterback/feed/0EDDIE ALVAREZ AND HIS ROULETTE WHEEL OF CHOICEShttp://www.boneheadpicks.com/eddie-alvarez-and-his-roulette-wheel-of-choices/
http://www.boneheadpicks.com/eddie-alvarez-and-his-roulette-wheel-of-choices/#respondTue, 14 Aug 2018 14:17:45 +0000http://www.boneheadpicks.com/?p=29184Options. That’s the one thing whether you’re a first grader or CEO of a major company you want. Some of the greatest film and tv monologues discuss options. Now outside of the mundane options of every day life; to get to the really sweet ones you have to be “tested in the forests”. That’s the ground that “THE UNDERGROUND KING”; EDDIE ALVAREZ now finds himself standing on.

During the course of his last contract; from one side or both, there was the decision to “let it ride”. The 34 year old Philly native is at the crossroads. He’s been strapping on the gloves for 15 years, and it’s a safe bet there’s way less than another 15 in him. On the DANIEL CORMIER clock he’d have another 6 years. In fairness one could see 4-5 years if he plays the cards right. DANA WHITE said some interesting things about Eddie if you read between the lines. Would the UFC be better with him? Sure. Can they survive without him? Yea. The question is; WILL they resign him? That’s a tough one to answer, but doubtful is the one that keeps coming up on the weegie board. Although; if the WME/IMG powers that be are paying attention to their “toys” one final 5 fight contract shouldn’t be pooh-poohed. With a gauntlet of FERGUSON, LEE, IAQUINTA, DIAZ, and BARBOZAstaring him in the face.

But if not an end to a career in the UFC; what path would be best? One that many may snicker at; but financially will have arguably the best outcome for Eddie. Frankly; that’s something “fans” have to understand. It comes down to what’s best for the athlete’s family:

STEP 1: Spend the next 41/2 months totally recharging batteries. Nothing wrong with getting 100% healthy and playing the role of “Mr. Mom”.

STEP 2: The day after the PFL wraps up their season, sign with them. Having a $1 million dollar payday with consistent fights through the year is a sweet goal. Not to say the PFL is a bunch of “curtain jerkers” and “jobbers”; but Alvarez could tear right through their lightweight division. With the addition of a “KAYLA HARRISION” division next year; the duo could be the “BONNIE AND CLYDE” of the company.

STEP 3: Overseas. The market at RIZIN and 1 CHAMPIONSHIP is a lot better than it is here State side. And they like to throw money around. Both spots he could easily go on a run like he had back in the early days. Is there another run in him of 10 fights with 8 1st round finishes to end a career? In PFL, RIZIN, and 1; like the line in the movie “Angel’s in the Outfield”; “it could happen”.

Obviously the elephant in the room is SCOTT COKER and BELLATOR. Coker said on “The MMA Hour with Luke Thomas”; of course they’d be interested. You can throw a dart and land on someone that would be a great match-up for him there.While many see that the landing spot; there’s lukewarm feelings between the parties. Sure Scott is the anti-Dana, and the relationship still seems to be good between Coker and Eddie. The question is how is the one between Eddie and the Bellator powers that be. Has time healed the scar tissues from old wounds.

So like it is said at the fairgrounds; “round and round he goes, where he stop’s nobody knows”. Except Eddie; one would imagine by know.

Neidhart was the father of WWE superstar and former Women’s champion Natalya.

Jim Neidhart and Bret “Hitman” Hart formed the Hart Foundation in the mid 1980’s and were originally managed by the “Mouth of the South” Jimmy Hart. The duo achieved great success as a tag team, winning their first tag belts in 1987, defeating British Bulldog and Dynamite Kid. Hart and Neidhart even as a heel unit, were being heavily cheered by the WWE audience and eventually turned face in 1988. They were one of the best tag teams in the ring not only of that time, but in professional wrestling history. Complementing each other so well, their chemistry was virtually unmatched and nearly every match they were involved in was must watch television. Bret would be the technician and pace setter for the match, often on the receiving end of beat downs while The Anvil would be a bruising bulldozer, providing most of his offense following the hot tag. Neidhart would use maneuvers such as a slingshot clothesline or shoulder block which not only was unique to see in WWE at the time, but for a man of his size to accomplish the move, it was extremely impressive to witness.

Hart and Neidhart would capture the WWE tag team titles for a second time in 1990 at SummerSlam, defeating Demolition in a two out of three falls match.

Neidhart and Hart would eventually split, as Hart moved on to singles competition while Neidhart teamed with Bret’s brother Owen as The New Foundation. The tandem’s time together was short lived, as Neidhart was fired, a common headline in his career with WWE.

After a short stint in ECW and WCW, Neidhart returned to WWE in 1994 by Owen’s side at King of the Ring. He assisted Owen on multiple occasions against Bret during their feud and became Owen’s right hand man until the end of 1994, when he left WWE again.

He briefly returned once again to WWE in 1996 as Who, but once again did not amount to anything.

He returned for a fourth time to the company in 1997, this time joining Bret, Owen, Brian Pillman and British Bulldog as the new Hart Foundation. This is arguably the best time for all five superstars within the company. They became one of the most villainous stables in company history, preaching anti-American rhetoric while being cheered all over the world that WASN’T the United States. Neidhart provided the group with extra muscle as the group feuded with the likes of The Patriot, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Legion of Doom, Ken Shamrock, The Nation of Domination and countless others during the seven months. The Hart Foundation at one point had ALL of the WWE titles and gave the company a boost due to their presence.

Neidhart left the WWE for the final time shortly after The Montreal Screwjob in which Bret Hart and British Bulldog left for WCW. Anvil joined them while Owen was the only one still around in WWE. Pillman had passed away in October of 1997.

Neidhart’s run in WCW was short lived and that would pretty much be the final time he would be in a squared circle outside of random appearances for Indy federations and an occasional WWE appearance such as the Raw 15th Anniversary Battle Royal.

Jim The Anvil Neidhart will forever be remembered for his intimidating look, his outlandish laugh and his unique persona.

]]>http://www.boneheadpicks.com/jim-the-anvil-neidhart-passes-away/feed/0Who Is LSU’s Next Quarterback?http://www.boneheadpicks.com/who-is-lsus-next-quarterback/
http://www.boneheadpicks.com/who-is-lsus-next-quarterback/#respondMon, 13 Aug 2018 18:18:58 +0000http://www.boneheadpicks.com/?p=29165After the departure of former Purdue quarterback Danny Etling, it looked as though that Ed Orgeron had a huge dilemma at quarterback for LSU. Elting’s performance at LSU the last couple of years pretty much kept things together with not only the quarterback situation, but also a huge coaching change in 2016. It has also helped Orgeron secure the coaching job officially and remove the interim tag. But now with a new starting quarterback, Orgeron’s second full season will be tested.

Myles Brennan was the only experienced quarterback left over from last season, playing in only six games. Brennan only threw for 182 yards and a touchdown along with two interceptions. Before Joe Burrow arrived, Orgeron has two freshman, two sophomore and one junior, counting Brennan. Lowell Narcisse was reshirted last season and Jordan Loving is a member of the 2018 class. Andre Sale transferred from Tennessee Tech and threw for 1,520 yards and eight touchdowns for the Golden Eagles.

Burrow transferred from Ohio State and is a junior and will be eligible to compete for the starting job. Burrow on the other played in only ten games for Urban Meyer for the Buckeyes throwing for only 287 yards and two touchdowns. Justin McMillan is also a junior who has rarely seen the field in his two seasons at LSU, playing in only two games and rushing for a measley two yards. This turns out to be down to three players who are most likely in the running for the starting job.

Brennan, Sale and Burrow are the likely contenders. With the most experience even out of a FCS based team, it seems that Sale has the bigger chance of landing the job after throwing more yards than the two combined in one season. This battle looks to be just as intriguing as the Alabama situation, but could be more serious than anyone anticipates.

]]>http://www.boneheadpicks.com/who-is-lsus-next-quarterback/feed/0Jamal Adams taking wrong approach as young NFL playerhttp://www.boneheadpicks.com/jamal-adams-taking-wrong-approach-as-young-nfl-player/
http://www.boneheadpicks.com/jamal-adams-taking-wrong-approach-as-young-nfl-player/#respondSat, 11 Aug 2018 13:27:48 +0000http://www.boneheadpicks.com/?p=29150The 2017 NFL Draft featured a ton of intriguing young talent entering the league at various positions. While rookie running backs like Leonard Fournette and Kareem Hunt received much praise after productive first seasons, there were defensive rookies like linebacker T.J. Watt and cornerback Tre’Davious White who were impressive as well in their first NFL seasons. New York Jets safety Jamal Adams has established himself as a potential building block for the Jets after a strong rookie season at an important position. However, Adams has also put even more pressure himself after he made some comments regarding his Jets teammates.

Jamal Adams was taken with the sixth overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft. It is rare that a safety is taken that high in any NFL Draft but the traits and talent of Adams made that selection not so surprising. He was a standout and All-American from LSU and NFL analysts were high on the Jets selecting him. His rookie year included 63 tackles and a couple of sacks but he also showed football intelligence. Adams also displayed leadership qualities during his college career at LSU and seems to want to be a leader early in his NFL career. His recent comments to the Bleacher Report regarding the culture of the Jets prior to the 2017 NFL season were surprising as Adams said, “Everybody was used to losing. You can always tell that vibe. I came in, and it was like everybody wanted to do the bare minimum. They didn’t want to go above and beyond. They didn’t want to take that extra step. They didn’t want to be uncomfortable, [but] to be great, you have to be uncomfortable. You have to be willing to sacrifice and willing to do the little things. And the team, the organization, just wasn’t doing those things. It could’ve been two or three people on the team that were doing it and then the rest weren’t or vice versa.”

It is surprising to hear a second year player criticize his teammates publicly. Jamal Adams doesn’t have the tenure of Jets veteran players like offensive lineman Brian Winters or running back Bilal Powell so his criticism is strange from a player just starting to make a name for himself. Green Bay Packers superstar Aaron Rodgers publicly criticized some of the young Packers receivers and it is not viewed as surprising. Both the criticism by Rodgers and Adams were focused on the lack of effort from teammates which can be a sensitive thing. One of the worst things that athletes can be criticized for is a lack of effort and that is even worse when it happens publicly. But while Rodgers’ outstanding play during most of his NFL career can shield him from criticism from teammates, Adams has to be careful about criticism of his teammates from a player who isn’t yet a Pro Bowl or All-Pro player at his position.

]]>http://www.boneheadpicks.com/jamal-adams-taking-wrong-approach-as-young-nfl-player/feed/0Cal WR Demetris Robertson Immediately Eligible For Georgiahttp://www.boneheadpicks.com/cal-wr-demetris-robertson-immediately-eligible-for-georgia/
http://www.boneheadpicks.com/cal-wr-demetris-robertson-immediately-eligible-for-georgia/#respondSat, 11 Aug 2018 13:22:40 +0000http://www.boneheadpicks.com/?p=29155After clearing some NCAA hurdles, former Cal wide receiver Demetris Robertson will immediately be eligible for Georgia. The Bulldogs had only three veterans left over from last season, which include Terry Godwin who was second on the team in receiving yards. Their leading wide receiver Javon Wims has already moved on to the NFL, leaving it up to Godwin, juniors Mecole Hardman and Riley Ridley to lead the next corps into 2018 and supporting Jake Fromm.

As a freshman, Robertson was second in receiving for the Golden Bears with 767 yards and seven touchdowns and averaged 15.3 yards per catch which led the team in 2016. The following season he caught only 70 yards in two games as his year was shut down early due to injury. When he announced his move back to his home state, it was believed that he would have to sit out the whole season as per NCAA rules unless he was a graduate but received a waiver. Robertson’s numbers from 2016 would help the Bulldogs significantly.

All Georgia wide receivers were just under the top ten in yards in 2017, and was eighth in the SEC in team receiving yards. Georgia did better in receiving yards per reception with 14.26, which was third in the conference. Robertson’s numbers would have helped Georgia reach the top five in receiving yards last season he had been with the team, even though Jake Fromm was fifth in the SEC in passing yards. Fromm should be mature by now to know his receivers and learn from Robertson.

Wims’ absense and Robertson’s arrival couldn’t have come at a better time, as Georgia was left with officially three veteran receivers and could have left them as one dimenisional. They will already have new starting running backs to start off 2018 and hope to have a new bolstering offense to defend their SEC Championship.

]]>http://www.boneheadpicks.com/cal-wr-demetris-robertson-immediately-eligible-for-georgia/feed/0The Battle of the Ravinehttp://www.boneheadpicks.com/the-battle-of-the-ravine/
http://www.boneheadpicks.com/the-battle-of-the-ravine/#respondSat, 11 Aug 2018 13:20:05 +0000http://www.boneheadpicks.com/?p=29146I sure landed a cool job working here in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. I work with the ROTC program taking care of all the human resources and supply needs the cadets at both Ouachita [Wash-i-ta] Baptist University (OBU) and Henderson State University (HSU) need to be successful as cadets and future officers in the United States Army.

Oh yeah and they play football here too. I’m in Hog heaven, especially since I am a big Arkansas Razorback fan and a football fan.

I did some research and it turns out OBU vs. HSU (the Battle of the Ravine) is one of the oldest rivalries in football, according to Wikipedia (I know I am not supposed to use Wikipedia as a source, at least not for papers), the first meeting between OBU and HSU took place in 1895 in a non-sanctioned meeting, probably non-sanctioned because they had to hire dinosaurs to be referees. OBU won the first ever game with HSU 8-0, did they have two-point conversions back then? maybe two field goals and a safety, that makes more sense.

According to Wikipedia they didn’t play again until 1907 when they renewed their rivalry and they have been playing ever since then, however, I don’t see a game in 1913, 1917, 1936-1937, 1942-1944, 1952-1962, 1993-1995, 2004-2005. The series is 43-42-6 in HSU’s favor, but OBU has bragging rights winning the 91st Battle of the Ravine 49-42 in 2017. Again, according to Wikipedia, the rivalry is tied for the oldest rivalry in NCAA Division II. That sounds like something special to be a part of. I’m excited to be here and to witness history in the making. What’s convenient about this rivalry is that the only thing that separates these two schools is you guessed it a ravine in between them. They are literally right across the road from each other, U.S. Highway 67 separates the two schools. The away team only has to walk across the road for their football game, how convenient, no busses and no hotels.

It does get a little crazy the week leading up to the game though. I’ve heard stores about HSU turning the water purple at OBU. The OBU homecoming queen was said to be kidnapped and for three days no one knew her whereabouts. However, she returned just in time for the big game. I don’t condone this type of behavior, but it is funny.

The HSU reddies painted countless marshmallows red and used a crop duster to drop them all over OBUs football field. That sounds like it could turn into a sticky situation.

OBU classes take turns guarding their prized tigers statue to keep HSU from stealing the tiger tail and burying it which seems to be a yearly occurrence.

And finally, in 1973, Mike Huckabee, a former OBU student, and latter governor of Arkansas snuck onto HSUs campus and lit their bonfire a little early, ruining HSUs festivities.

There certainly is a lot of tradition here in Arkadelphia between the two schools and I am looking forward to being a part of it. I know where I will be on Saturday, November 10. I’ll be supporting both OBU and HSU in one of the oldest rivalries in football.

Black has been removed from the main event of NXT Takeover IV which takes place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn next Saturday. William Regal made the announcement yesterday on WWE.com confirming the removal of Black.

It will now be Tommaso Ciampa defending his NXT title against Johnny Gargano in a Last Man Standing match, the third match between the two since April. The series is tied at one to one so this should be the finale of their rivalry, a bit sooner than what had originally been planned most likely. When Black had originally been penciled in, it was assumed he would be the fall guy to help set up a potential final match between Gargano and Ciampa in November at the next Takeover event. Now with plans changed, it is quite possible we could see the loser of this match end up on Raw or Smackdown following SummerSlam.

If that is Johnny Gargano, expect the roof of the Barclays Center to explode for the biggest baby face on the main roster.

]]>http://www.boneheadpicks.com/aleister-black-removed-from-nxt-takeover-iv-main-event/feed/0LSU, Florida State Agree To Neutral Site Serieshttp://www.boneheadpicks.com/lsu-florida-state-agree-to-neutral-site-series/
http://www.boneheadpicks.com/lsu-florida-state-agree-to-neutral-site-series/#respondThu, 09 Aug 2018 15:20:30 +0000http://www.boneheadpicks.com/?p=29136Details for this all-time series has just now come out, and it involves LSU and Florida State. Both will meet consecutively, but only on neutral site games. They will most likely open up in New Orleans in 2022 and Orlando in 2023. Orlando hosts the Camping World Kickoff Classic through 2019 and could possibly expand to 2023 unless they are not able to fill spot between now and then. 2017 was the only year that Camping World did not sponsor a classic, so this is most likely plausible.

As far as New Orleans is concerned, Allstate for as long as they continue to sponsor the Sugar Bowl, could have a hand in putting together a new matchup to kickoff the college football season. New Orleans is one of a few major cities in college football overall to not host any kind of classic related to their respected bowl, but that perspective could change before 2022 is upon us. Since this story had just come out as early as Thursday morning, dates were not announced as of yet.

Both teams have met only seven times, and the Seminoles own the series 5-2 winning the last four. All games were played at Baton Rouge except for the 1968 Peach Bowl in Atlanta and in Tallahassee in 1990. Although LSU is 22-2 against the ACC, Florida State did not join the conference until 1992 as they were independent for 40 years until then. If you wanted to add those games into the system as ACC, LSU would actually be 24-9 technically so unofficially you could do that.

If adding a permanent New Orleans classic is imminent, it could help expand the huge debate and rivalry between the SEC and the ACC, althought the site is between SEC and Big XII country. It could be a switchout between the ACC and Big XII, and if this is probable could be huge for all three.

Bartolo Colon became the all-time wins leader for a Latin born pitcher, notching his 246th career victory against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night. He passed Dennis Martinez who had 245 victories.

Colon continues to pitch strongly in 2018, although his ERA is ballooned due to pitching in Texas. It seems extremely likely Colon could reach his 250th win by season’s end, but if not, pitching in 2019 is a reasonable expectation for Colon. After a disastrous 2017 campaign, it didn’t appear Colon would be even pitching this season. Sure enough, at 45 years old, Colon continues to dazzle.

His glove work is also pretty darn nifty too.

Bartolo Colon is officially every dad playing all-time pitcher in backyard baseball games, making plays like this ‘til he’s 50. pic.twitter.com/wMV4GSi92m